Obituary: James "Jim" Godfrey
James (Jim) Edward Godfrey, 75, of Kinston, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on December 1, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jim was the son of the late William and Helen Godfrey. He built a life grounded in service, community, and devotion to family.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Robyn Godfrey, daughters Christine Gilmore (Sammy) and Kimberly Taylor (Tony), and step-children Shannon Foscue and Davin Arnold (Katie). He was a proud and loving grandfather to Kelly Taylor, Trent Taylor, Palmer Foscue, Luke Arnold, and Avery Arnold. Jim is also survived by his sister Mary Bennett (Jim) and brother Tom Godfrey (Lee), along with his cherished nieces, nephew, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, all of whom held a special place in his heart.
Jim was a lifelong learner and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from East Carolina University. He continued building upon his education through the Institute for Organizational Management at the University of Delaware and the Institute of Insurance in Chapel Hill, as well as receiving his real estate license.
Jim developed an early passion for public service and became deeply involved in Republican politics throughout his young adult life. Beginning in high school with his election as president of the Goldsboro Teenage Republicans, he went on to hold numerous leadership roles at East Carolina University and across the state. One of the defining chapters of his political career was his work on the Holshouser for Governor Committee, where he served in several key positions and proudly helped elect Jim Holshouser as North Carolina’s first Republican governor of the 20th century. Over the next decade, he continued to serve in key elected and appointed roles supporting campaigns and serving on committees, contributed to dozens of political initiatives, and attended as a delegate to several North Carolina Republican Party State Conventions.
Jim carried his passion for people and community into a career that spanned many notable organizations throughout North Carolina, including the N.C. Department of Natural & Economic Resources, George W. Little Insurance Agency, Inc., Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce, Sun Spots Realty, Coldwell Banker/SeaCoast Realty, Nell A. Jarman & Associates, ERA Montague & Associates, Inc., and Clayton Chamber of Commerce.
Most recently and one of his passion projects, Jim served as Executive Director of Mary’s Kitchen, where he retired in February 2025. Under his direction, Mary’s Kitchen provided tens of thousands of meals annually to those in need, providing an average of 160 meals every day. Jim recruited and coordinated hundreds of volunteers, skillfully leveraged social media and community connections, undertook management of renovation projects, and demonstrated exceptional fundraising abilities which all ensured the Kitchen's doors remained open to serve all.
Jim had a remarkable record of service and leadership within professional and civic organizations. Over the years, he contributed his time and talent serving on several boards including the Johnston County Tourism Development Authority, Pride of Kinston, N.C. Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, N.C. Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and the ECU Board of Visitors. He also proudly served as past chairman of the Johnston County Sports Council and N.C. Travel Industry Association, as well as past president of the North Carolina Jaycees and former national vice president of the United States Jaycees. He was also a former member of the Kinston and Clayton Rotary Clubs. Up until his death, he was a loyal member of the ECU Pirates’ Club.
Jim was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church of Kinston, where he built lasting friendships. In later years, Jim transferred his membership to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church of Kinston, the church home of his beloved wife, Robyn, and the congregation closely connected to Mary’s Kitchen. His work with Mary’s Kitchen became one of the greatest commitments of his life and joining St. Mary’s reflected the deep passion he had for serving others through that ministry.
Of all the roles Jim held throughout his life, he especially treasured being a grandfather. He loved nothing more than cheering in the stands at his grandchildren’s sporting events and celebrating their accomplishments. Jim was also a loyal ECU supporter through and through - especially ECU football and baseball - and could often be found enjoying a good cigar while listening to music, especially the Embers and Chicago.
A funeral service honoring Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston, North Carolina. A reception will follow at the church. All are welcome, and attendees are invited to wear purple and/or gold in celebration of Jim’s lifelong devotion to ECU.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jaycee Burn Center at UNC-Chapel Hill or Mary’s Kitchen c/o St. Mary’s Episcopal Church - two causes deeply meaningful to Jim. He always joked that he would haunt us if flowers appeared at his funeral; therefore, donations in his honor are strongly encouraged.
Jim leaves behind a legacy of compassion, leadership, devotion to family, and love for his community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Jaycee Burn Center
c/o University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
P.O. Box 309, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0309
919.537.3818 Mary’s Kitchen c/o
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
800 Rountree St., Kinston, NC 28501
252.523.6146
